The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group works to help people whose rights have been violated and investigates cases involving such abuse, as well as assessing the overall human rights situation in Ukraine. The Group also seeks to develop awareness of human rights issues through public events and its various publications

The Mykolaiv Regional Court of Appeal has upheld the 30 July custody order issued against Ludmila Nikitkina, Deputy Head of the Pervomaisk Election Headquarters of the United Opposition. Ms Nikitkina is also the Financial Director of the limited liability company “Agrofirma Kornatskykh”

A demonstration was held outside the court building in support of Ludmila Nikitkina. The protesters held placards calling on the judges to stop and think as they were detaining an innocent person, while repressive measures against Kornatsky is a dirty war against the opposition.

As reported, Ludmila Nikitkina was arrested on 27 July. The next day the police stated that she had been arrested as a suspect in a criminal investigation initiated under Article 191 § 4 of the Criminal Code (embezzlement, misappropriation or acquisition of property through abuse of official position).

Their report said that officers from the Department Against Economic Crimes had arrived on Friday evening at around 19.00 in Pervomaisk in the Mykolaiv region to take her to the police station. She was informed that she was suspected of a crime under the above-mentioned article.

The report stated that “the suspect began loudly refusing and in a few minutes she was joined by a number of citizens who began obstructing the police from carrying out their lawful actions”.

She was detained under Article 115 of the Criminal Procedure Code and then remanded in custody on 30 July.

The United Opposition also issued a press release on Saturday saying that the arrest was an attempt to put pressure on the anticipated candidate in No. 132 single-mandate electoral district, Arkady Kornatsky whom they say is planning to stand from the United Opposition and has every chance of winning.